WHAT MAKES A TREADMILL

WHAT MAKES A TREADMILL

Treadmills are advertised with lists of their “specs” or specifications. Whether these features are fantastic or you could get better value elsewhere, marketers manage to make them all sound pretty great. Read this section to get a better understanding of how to buy a treadmill with elements that honestly fit your needs.

MOTOR

A treadmill’s motor powers the track. Treadmill motor power is described in terms of horsepower (HP) or continuous horsepower (CHP). CHP is the most useful thing to take into consideration because it indicates how much power a motor can put out continuously versus just at its peak. Most home treadmill motors have somewhere between 2.25 and 4.25 CHP. You can find some treadmills with 1.5 CHP or 5.0 CHP motors, but this is a minority.

How much treadmill motor power do you need? That depends on the type of exercise you plan to do on your treadmill and your body weight. For people weighing up to 200 pounds, here are our general recommendations:

• Walking: Choose 2.0 CHP or higher

• Jogging: Choose 2.5 CHP or higher

• Running: Choose 3.0 CHP or higher

If you weigh over 200 pounds then it’s a good idea to add another 0.5 CHP, because a motor running at nearly full capacity will wear out faster than one with more power to spare.

Most treadmill motors today are under lifetime warranty, but cheaper models offer much shorter motor warranties (anything from 2 to 25 years of coverage), so it’s best to check with a sales representative what’s offered on the machine you’re looking at before purchasing.

Need some more help on how to buy a treadmill with the right motor for you? Review more information on our site.

TRACK SIZE

Track length isn’t of great importance to petite walkers, but it’s important to treadmill users who take longer strides and is especially important to runners. Today’s standards for treadmill track length are 55″ for walking treadmills and 58″ or 60″ for running treadmills. Some treadmills for runners have tracks up to 63″ long; see the brands Landice and BodyCraft for this option.

As for track width, the industry standard is 20″. Extra-wide treadmill tracks are becoming more common and are key for larger trainees; these tracks are usually 22″ inches wide. 

TREAD BELT DURABILITY

There are three main factors that determine tread belt durability: thickness, metal rollers, and lubrication.

Regarding belt thickness, a two-ply or four-ply tread belt is more durable than one with a single layer. Thicker tread belts also tend to be quieter during use. Most home treadmills that are budget priced or mid-priced have one-ply tracks. This feature might be omitted from the specs list as advertisers boast about thick tracks but tend to keep quiet when tracks are basic.

Another important factor is the metal rollers that propel a track. Rollers with larger diameters put less stress on the treadmill motor and help to extend belt life. A good roller diameter for home treadmills is about 2.5′.

Lubrication is another important aspect of tread belt durability. Treadmill belts must be lubricated for smooth performance. Sometimes this job falls to the treadmill owner, where you’ll treat the track every few months. The best treadmill tracks are maintenance-free; these are usually infused with silicone or another lubricant. Precor treadmill tracks are a good example of these.

TRACK SPEED

Treadmills that support top speeds of 10 mph are adequate for most trainees, but runners who are training for a 5-minute mile will want machines with higher top speeds. Home treadmills that reach 12 mph are increasingly available under $1,000, such as the NordicTrack C 990.

TRACK CUSHIONING

Track cushioning helps protect your joints from the impact of exercise. Compared with road running, cushioned treadmill running typically reduces impact by about 15-40%. Although cushioning is most important for runners, it reduces the impact on anyone’s body by minimizing the risk of injury and promoting stamina. Some treadmills feature adjustable cushioning so that runners can choose their preferred level of support. Advanced treadmill decks have differential cushioning, where you get firm support as you push off the track and more cushioning on landing.

INCLINE

Want faster fitness results? A treadmill incline helps you burn calories more efficiently. It also reduces the stress on your joints and can help you target different muscle groups. Most treadmill tracks can be inclined to a maximum of 10, 15, or 20%. A few brands include small declines on their treadmills too. Most treadmill inclines are motorized; only the cheapest treadmills with inclines require manual incline adjustment.

PROGRAMS

Most treadmills today are sold with preset workout programs. These help support different exercise goals such as weight loss training and endurance training. Programs automatically control the speed of the treadmill, and they’ll adjust its incline/decline too if applicable.

These days, immersive workout technologies help sell many home treadmills. One popular option is iFit, available on home treadmills by NordicTrack, ProForm and HealthRider. The program offers a whole host of benefits, but is especially enticing due to its unlimited interactive Google Maps workouts. Another great (although more expensive) option is Passport Virtual Active technology, compatible with most treadmills by Horizon Fitness and Vision Fitness. Here, scenic Virtual Active treadmill workouts are shown on your home TV and automatically adjust the speed and intensity of your exercise. 

EXTRA FEATURES

Extra features on treadmills range from console fans and water bottle holders to Bluetooth speakers, tablet holders and TVs. These features might be worth the extra investment if they motivate you to exercise regularly.

WARRANTIES

A treadmill’s warranty is an excellent clue from the manufacturer regarding a treadmill’s durability. The typical treadmill warranty includes four parts: frame, motor, parts, and labor.

• Frame: Many treadmills (including some cheap treadmills) have their frames under lifetime warranty.

• Motor: Most treadmill motors have lifetime guarantees. Cheaper models offer much shorter motor warranties (anything from 2 to 25 years of coverage), so check with a sales representative before purchasing your machine.

• Parts: The most variation in treadmill warranties involves parts and electronics. Typically a very cheap treadmill has no warranty or just a 90-day warranty. Slightly more reliable treadmills get one-year parts warranties. The best home treadmills tend to have at least five-year parts warranties. Landice treadmills have lifetime parts warranties.

• Labor: Labor isn’t included on the cheapest treadmills. Others generally offer one or two years of free labor. However, the quality of labor warranties varies. For example, Landice provides labor in your home for free provided that you live within 60 miles of a dealer. NordicTrack, on the other hand, might expect you to pay shipping costs for machine repair.

WEIGHT CAPACITY

Treadmill user weight capacities generally range from 250 to 400 pounds. We recommend choosing a treadmill that can handle at least 50 pounds more than your body weight to help ensure that you don’t strain the motor. If you weigh more than this, you may need to invest in a higher-end product. There are treadmills out there capable of handling up to 500 pounds, but you’ll have to pay more.

STORAGE AND PORTABILITY

You can now find foldable treadmills in every home treadmill price category. With these treadmills, you can fold the treadmill deck upwards after your workout to free up some floor space. Power-assist technology, which is included with some foldable treadmills, makes this process easy regardless of your physical strength.

Some of the smallest treadmills are portable; they are lightweight and have transport wheels. A portable treadmill can typically be stored under a bed, behind a door or in a closet. Generally these are substandard products, but we do have some recommendations in our best treadmills for walkers roundup.

SAFETY

Auto-stop is an important safety feature to many treadmill shoppers who are elderly or infirm, or for those with pets or young children. Auto-stop is usually controlled with a key. When you’re exercising, the key is attached to your body with a lanyard and if you slip, the key will disengage and the treadmill will turn off. What’s more, the key can be removed after each workout session to prevent accidental treadmill activation.